ArbTrak 190 - problems with either control or junction box

[Soeren]

Hi,

I tried to use our Arbtrak yesterday when I found the battery was empty (used it ~4 weeks ago last time). I swapped it with a working one and starting was almost okay, BUT noticed two things indicating some problems with the control

• Right after the heating of the sparks the starter motor seemed to run without pressing the "Start" button.
• With the motor running the rollers are in "reverse mode". This is independent of the "chip / move" switch and also of the control bar. Normal operation is not possible any more.

 

I'm not sure if the control box or the junction box is the part to check for? We had an incredible amount of rain over the recent two months here and I wonder if moisture might be a problem? Unfortunately the machine was parked outside for the recent months. That would be. I could unmount one or both boxes, dry them carefully, put them back and try what happens - or is there a better approach?

For the moment I also disconnected to battery as I suspect the problem - whatever it is in detail - also is responsible for emptying the battery...?

 

Tanks,
Soeren

[Jase hutch]

Hi Soeren  , 

Firstly I would separate all the plugs you can get to and check they're dry ?

The starter motor issue certainly sounds like water in the plug from the display. 

Jase.

[Soeren]

Okay, thanks, I'll try this one first and will post the results.

 

Thanks, Soeren

[GA Groundcare]

As Jase says, check the plugs for water. Specifically the ones connecting the junction box and the head unit screen, plug the bulgin plug for the rear hopper loom.

[Soeren]

Hi all,

long story short: It was a little water in the junction box.

 

Actually it was the first thing I checked. In the lower part of the box there were a few milimeters of water, might have somehow accumulated over the years finding it's way somehow into the box. The water was just so touching the PCB, which obviously was the reason for the malfunction. The water also was quite dirty. I was wondering that no silicon or rubber seals the box cover from the body.

So I unmounted first the PCB, dryed everything all manually then with pressurized air. Cleaned the PCB's back with very little WD40 and then the whole PCB with WD 40 contact spray. Again pressurized air and let it all dry in the sun & wind for an hour. Put everything together again and the chipper worked immediatly as a charm 😁 Learned, that I need to check the junction box from now on in the yearly maintenance check for humidity inside 😜

 

Thanks for helping!
Soeren

Edited March 29 by Soeren

[Jase hutch]

In the old days when we had issues with water getting into ignition boxes , it was normal practice to drill a small hole in the lowest part of the box to allow water to escape before it could cause a problem. 

On the RDS junction box  , there should be a black rubber seal in a groove in the lid.